NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
23 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 3:18 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
25 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights!
31 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
23 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
25 words
MSG
31 words
NASB
19 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 3:18?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 3:18 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of Ephesians 3:18 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.